Amid hectic duties and challenging situations that police personnel and officers face on a regular basis, the Ambala and Kurukshetra police have been promoting sports activities to keep the staff physically fit, alleviate stress, and enhance operational efficiency.
Along with the Monday parade, the Police Department is also holding different sports activities, including volleyball, cricket and football in the police lines, besides holding district-level competitions to engage and develop team spirit, coordination, mutual cooperation and discipline.
The officials from all ranks, including the DSPs, SHOs, in-charges of CIA units and different cells, as well as other employees, are engaged in sports activities. Many police personnel actively participate in sports and fitness activities as part of their daily routine.
Police personnel with sportspersons in Ambala.
Kurukshetra police spokesperson Naresh Sagwal said, “Besides the parade on Monday, different sports activities are also being organised at the police lines. Sports not only provide good health but also teaches team spirit, mutual cooperation and discipline. Since a good number of officials participate in the sports activities, the players are divided into different teams and they play cricket, volleyball and football. The primary objective behind organising these sports events is not only to maintain physical fitness of police personnel but also to enhance their mental well-being.”
Kurukshetra Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Headquarters, Sunil Kumar, said “Sports and regular exercise are the best ways to keep the body fit and reduce the stress that the police personnel have to handle. We have been encouraging the staff to engage themselves in sports activities on a daily basis at their respective police stations and units as well.”
“I have been a volleyball player and I understand how important sports is for the police personnel. Moreover, a fit officer in a uniform can encourage and motivate people without even saying anything. The sports not only help in reducing the stress and giving some relaxation to the police personnel, but it also helps the department in strengthening the bond, improving coordination between the staff and officers, removing a sense of hesitation and developing a team spirit,” he said.
“Such things definitely help in improving the efficiency and proficiency of the staff, and regular participation in sports not only enhances their ability to handle the demanding nature of police duties but also promotes discipline, teamwork and keeps lifestyle diseases at a bay. This keeps them better prepared to serve the public effectively,” the DSP said. He further added that “Regular sports activities play a crucial role in maintaining an individual’s physical health as well as preserving their mental equilibrium. The work undertaken by the police personnel are challenging and stressful. Sports activities serve as an effective medium for alleviating stress and enhancing operational efficiency.”
During the competitions, all police officers and staff members are encouraged to incorporate sports into their daily routines, as superior policing is achievable only through the combination of a healthy body and a healthy mind, the official said.
Similarly, the Ambala police have been organising different sports activities involving the police personnel, officials from various other departments, organisations, as well as the general public.
The Ambala police have already organised district-level chess competitions in which police personnel, their children and general public had participated.
Ambala Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat said, “The prime objective behind organising different sports activities is to motivate the youngsters to adopt different sports activities, channelise their energy in the right direction and keep them away from drugs. Similarly, the police personnel are engaged in sports activities to keep them fit and reduce their stress as they deal with different situations on a daily basis.”
“Sports is a good medium to improve coordination and develop team spirit. We have been organising different sports activities on a regular basis and have received a positive and encouraging response. Different sports activities are also organised at the village level to motivate youngsters adopt sports and stay away from drugs. Directions have also been given to the staff to organise sports activities such as volleyball in their police stations and the required equipment are provided to them,” he said.
The SP further said sports activities foster the development of discipline, self-confidence, and a spirit of teamwork—qualities that are indispensable in the police service.
